The Illinois Innovation Network has partnered with FirstIgnite to identify companies that are interested in supporting senior design and capstone projects at their schools. The Illinois Innovation Network comprises Northeastern Illinois University, Western Illinois University, Chicago State University, Southern Illinois University, Discovery Partners Institute, Eastern Illinois University, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Illinois State University, Northern Illinois University, Governors State University, and the University of Illinois.

The Illinois Innovation Network connects university-community-industry-based hubs across the state, fostering innovation, economic growth, and workforce development. It achieves this by assessing and addressing regional needs through collaborative research, public-private partnerships, entrepreneurship, and training programs. The IIN partners with industry to enhance collaboration, strengthen the innovation ecosystem, and address critical R&D challenges. They support industry partners by leveraging student talent, fostering workforce growth, and driving innovation.

The Illinois Innovation Network team is seeking companies interested in supporting senior design and capstone projects. If your company is interested in exploring a partnership, you can schedule a conversation with the Illinois Innovation Network team directly through their team’s calendar here.

Related resouces

FirstIgnite delivers AI-powered prospecting, agentic outreach, and partnership data management—giving impact-driven organizations everything they need to grow meaningful partnerships.

Blogs
Connecting Industry & Academia
University

How universities are transforming faculty engagement with AI-powered outreach

June 29, 2026
xx
MIN READ
Events
Connecting Industry & Academia

APLU 2026 COR Summer Meeting

June 17, 2026
xx
MIN READ
Connecting Industry & Academia

CMU and Fujitsu Launch Physical AI Research Center

April 27, 2026
xx
MIN READ